VAI · The ranking ledger

Value-Added Index

Schools ranked by value-added performance — how their retention and graduation outcomes compare to expectation. Filter by classification, search, sort any column, and page through all schools.

How to use this tool

Filters

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How to use

Reading the Value-Added Index

  1. 1

    Pick which ranking you're looking at

    Classification is required: National Universities and Regional & Liberal Arts are scored by different models, so each is ranked within its own group rather than in one combined list.

  2. 2

    Read the columns

    Rank is a school's standing among all its peers in that classification. The value-added retention and graduation columns are the scores behind the rank; graduation rate and US News rank are there for context.

  3. 3

    Narrow without renumbering

    Public/Private, Region, and State filter the view but keep each school's rank within its full group — so you'll see ranks like 3, 7, 12… rather than a fresh 1, 2, 3.

  4. 4

    Search and sort

    Search by name, and click any column header to sort by it (click again to reverse).

  5. 5

    Open a school

    Click a school's name to open its College Navigator page in a new tab.